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In this tutorial, you’ll see:
How to get ideas for handmade backgrounds
Design principles that make it all work together
Examples of handmade backgrounds
Also, if you’re not subscribed to the free version of Paperclipping in iTunes, here’s a link that will take you there.
With so many layouts appearing in this episode, I’ll only post the four new ones here but you can see the three that I’ve featured in previous episodes here, here, and here.
He Makes Me Laugh
12×12 layout Journaling written to my husband reads:She said, “I can stick my tongue up my nose. Watch…” So I watched, and she totally did it. I was in partial shock but I kept a smile on my face. And that’s when you leaned into my neck and said — fairly loudly — “I’m glad you can’t do that.” And you made me laugh. Hard. Just like you always do.
8.5×11 layout Journaling reads:Loved that you did it your own way…a simple wedding with family and your closest friends out in nature. Loved Larry’s talk about having someone to come home to. Loved watching your beautiful happy faces.
12×12 layout Journaling directed to my mom reads:This is how I see you in most of my memories as a kid. I actually have hazier visuals from an even younger time when I was two to four years old and we lived in Arizona. At that young age I remember big hands reaching down to me. Big to my small size. Safe hands dropping down from huge heights to pick me up or to give me a gumball from the high closet shelf. I remember how you were so tall, towering over me. And when you held me I was high above the floor.
I remember sitting on your lap in church and playing with the necklace around your neck, your hair an amber shade, long and wavy down the sides.
A few years later we moved to the house where Dad took this picture of you…you standing in our backyard on Lucinda Dr. in Whittier, CA. My memories are a little less hazy at this time with a little more perspective. Your face is a lot more clear, your hands less dominant. I remember you just like this picture. A naturally beautiful mommy.
12×12 layout Journaling reads:You four girls backstage, being young beautiful ballerinas, playing together while you wait your turn. You girls danced together–grew together and performed together–for at least three years (was it more than that?). You all stuck it out with two hard teachers from Russia and did a fab job shining on stage.
Also, if you’re not subscribed to the free version of Paperclipping in iTunes, here’s a link that will take you there.
Below is the layout I featured in this week’s tutorial…
Creativity In The Making
2-pg. 12×12 layout
Journaling written to my friend, Dedra Long reads: Shooting our DVD together — that was a blast. It was hard work, definitely. But we had FUN! I remember laughing and laughing with you, even though I can’t remember what was so funny. By looking at the photos, it was clearly something about hair. Clearly. I’m so glad we did these two long days of video shoots. It was one of my favorite Paperclipping memories.
Supplies: Creative Imaginations Die Cut Paper * 7 Gypsies yellow polka dot paper * Tattered Angels Glimmer Glass (Nature) * Tim Holtz Idea-ology Type Charms * Prima Rhinestone Flourish * Basic Grey yellow rub-on’s.
Above is a closeup of the technique part of this episode.
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This new episode of Paperclipping will show you how to do something that many people struggle with – how to design an interesting layout without using a photo as a focal point.
In the video, you’ll see:
How to create a focal point in the place of a photo
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We’re releasing a free episode this week. That means you don’t have to be a Paperclipping Member to watch it. If you like it, you might decide you want to see all the others, in which case, you can hop over here and find out how to do that.
To watch, you can either click on the video above or download the Quicktime version.
Below are the layouts that I featured in this video tutorial…
Drum Drum Drum Drum
12×12 layout
The Prima Venice white flower and Pearls & Crystals flourish mix with the playful paper images and combine elegance with childhood play in just the way I wanted so that I could replicate the feel of my mother’s gorgeous home and the children playing inside of it. Imaginisce gave me the Jolly Jingle and the Warm Woolen Mittens papers.
The Buckland Women
8.5×11
Journaling reads: It’s amazing to realize we’ve never had any real girl time together–not all four of us girls–not with the gap between our ages. It was short, but I’m so glad I got to have a little time to myself to visit my family this year. To watch them in their new homes. To see them mother their children and grandmother their grandchildren. * Lindsay * Mom (Grandma Buckland) * Erin * Noell *
Christmas ‘08 Mini: The Performances 6×7.5 mini book
Because of Thanksgiving we are not posting a video this week (if you are new here there is a selection of videos you can watch in the left column). I do have a couple layouts to share. Since my birthday is in a few days I’ve been in the mood to do some pages about myself. Maybe they’ll trigger some story ideas of your own…
The Rainbow In My Closet
8.5×11 layout
Tell a story about how you dress right now or how you organize (or don’t organize).
Published (& Paid) Writer
12×12 layout
Tell a story of something you accomplished, big or small.
Share
What was the topic of the last page you made about yourself? What’s a topic you know you want to scrap about but haven’t yet? I’d love it if you shared your story ideas by leaving a comment.
This week’s episode for the Paperclipping Members demonstrates tips and principles for turning a boring and symmetrical multi-photo layout into a much more interesting page with asymmetry. Watch the page come together and see the difference design know-how can make!
If you’re not a Paperclipping Member you can click on the player above for the trailer to this tutorial, or click here to watch the Quicktime version. You can also watch the free videos we have in the column to the left (you’ll probably need to scroll down a little to see those). If you like what you see, you may want to head over to this page to learn how you can watch the rest of our tutorials.
Below is the scrapbook page I featured in this episode…
Actors
2-pg. 12×12 layout
Making Memories was definitely my manufacture of choice for Halloween products this year. They made the witch boots paper and the charms you see in the layout above. The gorgeous laser cut paper at the bottom (Basic Grey) and the black-on-black flocked damask design that stretches across the page toward the top (Doodle Bug) are not Halloween-specific but definitely contribute the style I was going for.
These black flowers that hug the photo series (a tiny one layered on top of a larger one), plus the framed boots with small flower, are variations of two of the Halloween ornaments I designed for the tutorial here and here. Journaling reads:
Trinity – You made up the “Freaky Doll” idea when Nana said you could borrow her purple wig (something she usually wears Halloween night) and that very bizarre mask. That pink girlie dress and the striped tights were perfect final additions to complete the look. Great idea, girlie.
Aiden – While most of the school doesn’t come in Halloween costumes (rules), the kindergarten was invited to dress up like a character from a book. You picked a skeleton book we own and I used it as a model to paint bones on some old black clothes. You didn’t want to paint your face (too uncomfortable) and I was cool with that decision.
Blake – You got some good 1-on-1 time with Dad while he painted Zombie makeup on you, You love being a monster and really getting into character. Usually you’re done that with masks but this year you were excited to finally get costume makeup on your monster face. Something you’ve wanted for a while.
This week’s episode has been released for the Paperclipping Members. If you’re not a member, you can watch a trailer of the tutorial by clicking on the video above.
In this in-depth video I show you step-by-step in Photoshop Elements how to…
Isolate a subject in your photo so you can give it/him/her special attention.
Boost the color of your subject while making everything else black and white.
Make your subject stand out more by darkening your background and boosting the highlights in your subject.
Make your subject stand out by blurring the background.
Smooth the edges of your isolated subject so it doesn’t have that yucky “cut-out” look.
You’ll be able to do the above with your own Halloween zombies, their bloody sores, or with cute little girls at tea parties (below)–whatever you think needs special attention above its background. Check out this Before/After example where I left Blake’s sores and tongue a subtle red and brought him forward from his background, then see the layouts below for two examples:
To see what it takes to become a Paperclipping Member so you can watch episodes like this one, please visit the Membership Information Page.
Below are the layouts I featured in the episode…
The Making Of A Zombie
Journaling to Blake reads:Your makeup is on and you have no problem getting your act together, getting into character. I love how you love playing the part.
Girly Tea Time
Journaling to Trinity reads:I had such a fun day with you at this tea party. We looked at art on the street, shopped a cute gift shop and tried hats and teas. Fun girly day.
Want to try it? Once you do it you’ll want to do it all the time. It’s fun. Enjoy!
Today’s episode is free for anyone to watch, no Paperclipping Membership is necessary. We’re going to apply a number of the design principles we’ve discussed throughout Paperclipping to completely renovate an old layout I made years ago. You’ll see the huge difference it makes to know a few key principles. Enjoy!
Today’s episode is for the Paperclipping Members. If you’d like to find out how you can see the member’s-only videos, please click here.
Below are the layouts featured in today’s episode…
Something New
12×12 layout Journaling to Blake:(top:) We discovered something new in you today. (bottom): The result of your first art class.
5am to 5pm
12×12 layout
There was a long time when I woke up at 5am so I could fit in my exercising. I still exercise every day but not at 5am, lol. My Mondays were pretty structured at that time (2007) so I decided to document my 5-5:00 schedule visually with a few words, some pictures, and some memorabilia (a piece of homework, a tea packet, and a label from asparagus) to represent cooking at 5.
A Peek
12×12 layout Journaling to Trinity reads:You are in a miniature doll phase right now. It’s just about all you want to do. If we are at home you’re playing them. If we are not, you’re thinking about them! No television for you lately.
Color Play
8.5×11 layout Journaling to Aiden reads:Aiden, you came home from school just ecstatic about a color experiment. I love that you drew us a diagram first of how we should drop the colors into the milk (top center of bottom photo) before adding the dish soap. It’s fun to watch you try new things and it’s fun to see your process.
So…
…what story do you have to tell that would fit the mood of the Circular Anchor Flexible Template?
Do you wish you could break away from the matchy lines of paper products so you can more easily come up with your own color palettes for scrapbook pages and other papercraft projects? Today’s episode is free (you don’t need a membership to watch it) and I’ll take you through my process of picking out the colors for the layout below… Journaling reads:We met through the internet because of our mutual hobby and close geography but we became real friends because of each other’s creativity and passion. With so much similar and so much different in our styles…we better define our creative styles because of each other. I love having an artistic friends like Dedra Long. She inspires me.
Thank you to Stampin’ Up! who provided the stamps for all of the stamped pieces. The ink and ribbon is also Stampin’ Up!.
Note: Today is Dedra Long’s birthday! Happy birthday, girlfriend. I hope it’s a great one.
Now, back to business…
I find that complicated ideas usually make more sense when I review them later because of other things I’ve learned since my first time around. That’s one of the benefits of having a Paperclipping Membership and having access to the archives. Episodes 59 & 60 will make more sense after watching today’s episode. And today’s episode will make more sense after watching 59 & 60 again. It’s a process.
If you’re a Member and feel this is an area you want to work on, I recommend you re-watch these two other episodes from the archives after watching today’s tutorial…
This week’s episode is for the Paperclipping Members. As you’re sending your kids off to school, hold onto those new clothing tags and back-to-school shopping ads because today’s tutorial should give you some fun ideas of how to incorporate them as story-telling pieces onto your pages.
You can download the Quicktime version of the trailer here.
Below are the layouts I featured in this episode…
School Fall 2009
2-page 12×12 layout
Juicy Couture
12×12 layout Journaling reads:I love that you attached this flower from my scrap supplies to your headband. You’re always so creative that way.
X-Small
12×12 layout Journaling reads:Small from the beginning, we induced your birth 2 weeks early (the doctor wanted it to be 3 weeks) b/c you didn’t seem to be growing in my belly. We wondered if you’d get more nutrition outside of me instead of in. I guess you’re just a little guy regardless of where you are b/c you have continued to be the smallest of your peer groups (your friend, Zoe, is the only exception).
Being little has its benefits. At 6 years I can still hold you. And you love that. You may be a tiny little thing but what is not small about you is your personaltiy, your talents, your total charm. We had no idea when we named you Aiden how appropriate that name would be. Aiden means, “Little Fire,” and yeah…that is definitely YOU, my crazy sweet little guy. X-Small. Love you.
Don’t have a membership? If you want to be able to watch today’s video, along with all the episodes in the archives, just check out the Membership Information Page to learn more.
This video is available to members only. Learn about a membership here.
This is another Paperclipping Flexible Template. These templates should give you a good kick-start on a layout without being too explicit as to where exactly to put what, or how many and what size your photos should be.
My Flexible Templates = Creativity + Flexibility + Easy Start
Below are the layouts I featured in this episode…
Scrabble
Journaling reads:This is the perfect game for you, my gifted, “Word Dude.” This summer I taught you how to play and I had a great time battling you with words. Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill) * patterned paper (Creative Memories: this is OLD paper that I toned down with a washed layer of white paint; the smaller pieces in the embellishments might be Paper Trunk???) * ribbon (K.I. Memories made the large piece, the others are unknown) * metal frame * circular tag (Stampin’- Up) * letter stickers.
Tea Time
Journaling reads:Grandma Gertrude got you started on a tea pot collection by giving you two of her own pots. You love to use them to make everyone some tea. They’re cute and you’re giving. Supplies: patterned paper (My Mind’s Eye) * journal strip (Creative Cafe) * angel wings + glimmer mist (Tattered Angels) * button * brad from unknown source).
First Phone Call
Journaling reads:Kindergarten–your first social phone call. Was it Aubrey? I can’t remember but I do remember how cute you were, how much you enjoyed a phone call. I also remember how you wrote her number down…all jumbled up, because at this age, you don’t comprehend top-to-bottom, right-to-left order. Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill) * patterned paper (Basic Grey) * ribbon, button, letter stickers.
The Hyman’s Love Biscuits
Journaling reads: Love them with jelly, honey, gravy. Love them fat. Trin and Aiden love to punch them out. We make them a lot. Yummy. Supplies: cardstock (Core’dinations–notice the light sanding in the right corners revealed a lighter inner core color) * patterned paper (7 Gypsies–this is their new Victoria line, which I LOVE!) * tags (Stampin’ Up) * Glimmer Mist (Tattered Angels) * large brad (Bazzill) * rhinestone (Creative Imaginations) * crochetted lace.
I used Tattered Angel’s Glimmer Mists on the tags (left), which used to be cream, and on the angel wings. On the tags I sprayed Tiger Lilly and Garden Fairy. For the wings I used Pearl, then dipped the edges in Robin’s Egg Blue and Patina. I also added a tiny bit of Stickles in Platinum.
Like this episode? We have a whole archive of over 100 episodes! For information on how you can watch all of them, please visit the Membership Information Page.
I’m so glad we did these two long days of video shoots. It was one of my favorite Paperclipping memories.
